I always hear people say, "it never happens to me, how did they get upgraded and I didn't, why do they never chose me?!" There are several ways in which a person can put themselves in the front running for an upgrade.
I should know, I have worked in the airline industry for 12 years and have seen it all! These are my Top Ten tips in getting free upgrades and extra leg room seats for free...
1.
Top level Frequent Flyers programs.
Without a doubt, aligning yourself alongside a Gold or Platinum frequent flyer, either by putting their details in your booking or having yours in their's, will increase your chances of being selected.
Most airlines look firstly for these details when selecting passengers for complimentary upgrades.
Should they happen to pull up your booking, even though the actual member is NOT travelling, will give you exposure.
Most bookings will allow you to add a members frequent flyer number, you just won't earn the points.
Then when your at the airport approach the desk and ask for the price of an upgrade.
They will then see you are connected to a top frequent traveller and do it for free.
2.
Never ask for a complimentary upgrade.
This sends you straight to the bottom of the queue and ticket staff hate this.
Inquire as to the price and then deliberate about it.
If they can see you are genuine in your efforts to pay, but it's beyond your means, they take pity and if they are upgrading on that day, you'll be in with a good chance.
3.
Use online check-in facilities.
If the cabin your travelling in is oversold and there are a bunch of people still unseated, quite often it's far easier to "bump" up those passengers already checked in to release their seats and assign to those unseated.
4.
Arrive late - but not tOo late that you miss the check-in closure times.
If the flight is full and the airline has run out of seats, due to time restrictions they often must move the last few stragglers into the next class to close the flight on time.
5.
Offer to stand down for that days flight.
Approach the airline service desk and ask if they need volunteers to come off the flight.
Often during busy periods - holidays, Easter, Christmas flights are at their busiest and airlines often "bump" passengers to other carriers or travel the next day.
Even if you are not required to come off, they will have taken your name and if the flight closes full but with seats at the pointy end, you'll me in the running for the upgrade.
6.
Dress nicely.
Nothing to formal but do look casual but smart.
This means no thongs and no revealing attire.
7.
Pay the higher class tier fare.
When airline staff select people for upgrades, it quite often is done on the level of fare you purchased.
i.
e.
Economy is all one cabin, but is made up of different fare level.
The higher your fare level i.
e.
Y or B class, the better your chance of being selected as fewer people buy these fares.
8.
This one unfortunately is aimed at woman, and sadly is based on looks.
Approach a male staff member, they love attractive woman and will consider you more if you are dressed to kill.
I've seen it happen many times first hand.
9.
In relation to the point above, this quite often works with the male flight crew on board.
In this case making reference to an illness or an emotional disturbance, can pull on the heart strings and earn you an on board upgrade.
10.
Finally - Offer to upgrade using your frequent flyer points, even if you know you don't have enough.
Again it shows a willingness on your behalf that you not trying to scam an upgrade (we know you are, they don't).
Quite often we have upgraded these passengers out of sympathy.
Good Luck and please let me know how you go...